The National Park
Service (NPS) is proposing to restore wetland hydrology and native plant
assemblages in the Eastern Great Marsh, a historic and extensive wetland
located in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

“Great Marsh is
located in a dune-beach complex less than one mile from Lake Michigan and is
situated between two large dune systems,” NPS said in a statement released
this week. “The eastern section of Great Marsh is approximately 500 acres
and the proposed restoration is bounded on the north by Beverly Drive and on
the south by the Calumet Trail. Historically, Eastern Great Marsh was
comprised of a variety of wetland types including a tamarack swamp, sedge
meadow, wet-mesic prairie, shallow and deep marsh, and a shallow lake called
Fish Lake. Human activities at the site over the last century have resulted
in significant alteration to hydrology, plant assemblages, and ecosystem
services.”

The NPS is
currently preparing an Environmental Assessment for the proposed action, and
to fully consider the impacts and thoroughly evaluate alternatives, public
input is being sought on the proposed project. A public meeting has been
scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 17, in the Park Meeting Room at the
National Lakeshore’s headquarters complex, 1100 North Mineral Springs Road
in Porter.

At this meeting,
NPS staff will present information on the history of the site, the current
conditions, and the desired future conditions. In addition, NPS will discuss
alternatives that are being considered for achieving the project’s goals.
The public will be asked to provide input on the project, including what
issues of concern should be investigated in the Environmental Assessment.
The meeting is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.